Panasonic WH-R17C User manual

Operating Instructions
Hearing Instrument R1-W Model No. WH-R17C
Model No. WH-R15C
Model No.
W H-R13C
Before using the Panasonic Hearing Instrument R1-W series, please be aware of the following restrictions:
· R1-W series cannot be used outside the United States.
The information contained in this manual is important for safe and reliable operation. Anyone who will handle, maintain,
store, or dispose of your hearing instrument should read this document. Carefully read and thoroughly understand this
entire document before attempting to set up and operate the hearing aid. Failure to follow the operating instructions may
result in poor performance of the hearing aid or even can result in serious and sometimes permanent bodily injury.
Keep this document for future reference. If you have any questions, consult the dispenser where you purchased your hearing aid.
The Limited Warranty document is enclosed together in the package. Keep it in a secure place. Make sure that it is
properly completed, signed with the authorized dispenser’s name, and filled in with date of original purchase, name of
dispenser and other important information.

2
Before Use
Introduction
We would like to thank you for purchasing the
Panasonic Hearing Instrument.
The Panasonic Digital Hearing Instrument helps
optimize both intelligibility and comprehension for the
hearing impaired.
The type of hearing aid that will work best for you
depends on the type and severity of your hearing loss
and usage conditions. You will need to get a thorough
hearing evaluation and have your ears examined by
an ear specialist or an audiologist. They will suggest
the most appropriate type of hearing aid for you
depending on the type and degree of hearing loss. In
order to get the right hearing aid that will be tailored
to meet your individual needs and lifestyle, be sure to
have your hearing aid properly fitted and fine-tuned
to your ears, as an improper fit can cause comfort and
flexibility issues, and even further damage to the ear.
It is important to keep in mind that hearing aids will
not restore normal hearing, nor will they halt the
progression of hearing loss. They are intended to
compensate for impaired hearing. They should be used
only for the purpose they are designed and directed.
Carefully read the instructions and make sure you fully
understand the operation of the hearing aid before
using it.
Continuously operating equipment

3
Before Use
Before UseOperationsReference
Contents
Before Use
Package contents ........................................................... 4
Warning to hearing aid dispensers .................................. 6
Important notice for prospective hearing aid users
............ 7
Children with hearing loss................................... 8
Safety precautions.............................................. 9
Usage instructions ............................................ 16
Operations
Component description ................................................ 20
Basic operational flow .................................................. 20
i-i. Battery insert/removal with Battery Easy Care Tool ........ 21
i-ii. Manual battery insert/removal................................. 24
ii. Wearing the hearing instrument ................................ 25
iii. Turning on the hearing instrument
................ 26
iv. Adjusting the memory switch ....................... 27
v. Adjusting the volume control......................... 28
vi. Turning off the hearing instrument ............... 29
vii. Removing the hearing instrument ................ 29
Use with telephone .......................................... 30
Reference
Carrying case ............................................................... 30
Hearing instrument dryer.............................................. 31
Setting the hearing instrument in the hearing instrument dryer .32
Wax guard replacement ............................................... 34
Removing the eartip ..................................................... 35
Attaching the eartip ..................................................... 36
Retention loop setup .................................................... 38
Receiver unit replacement............................................. 40
Top cover replacement ................................................. 41
Cleaning and maintenance ............................... 42
For first-time users............................................ 43
Troubleshooting guide...................................... 44
How family and friends can help ....................... 46
Performance .................................................... 47
Specifications ................................................... 55
Information...................................................... 56
FCC compliance................................................ 59
Warranty and customer service.............Back cover

4
Before Use
Package contents
The Panasonic hearing instrument R1-W series comes with the following items.
If there are any missing or defective items, please inform your dispenser.

Components
·Battery Easy Care Tool
QTY: 1
· Wax guard
QTY: 2
·Replacement tool
for wax guard
QTY: 1
·Retention loop
QTY: 1
·Main unit
QTY: 1
(Receiver unit and eartip
are integrated with the
main unit by dispenser.)
·Carrying Case
QTY: 1
·Hearing instrument dryer
QTY: 1
Cleaning
brush
Main unit
Receiver
unit
Eartip
Plastic bag
containing
desiccant

5
Before Use
VOL
MEMORY

Documentation set
·Operating Instructions
·Quick Tips
·Limited Warranty

Optional Accessories (sold-separately)
·Consult your dispenser.
Remote Control
(WH-0M1201A)
Hearing Hub
(WH-0M1101A)

Battery
(sold-separately)
· Zinc air battery
(size13)

6
Before Use
Warning to hearing aid dispensers

A hearing aid dispenser should advise a prospective
hearing aid user to consult a physician if it is
determined through inquiry, actual observation,
or review of any other available information, that
the prospective user has any of the following
conditions:
· Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the
ear.
· History of active drainage from the ear within the
previous 90 days.
· History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing
loss within the previous 90 days.
· Acute or chronic dizziness.
· Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset
within the previous 90 days.
· Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15
decibels at 500 hertz (Hz), 1 000 Hz, and 2 000 Hz.
· Visible evidence of significant cerumen
accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal.
· Pain or discomfort in the ear.
A hearing aid must be programmed and adjusted by
the dispenser on an individual basis. Inappropriate
hearing aid setting may cause damage to the ears
of your customers. If you have any questions about
fitting, contact the Panasonic sales division below.
Company name:
Panasonic Corporation of North America
Healthcare Group
Address:
One Panasonic Way, 1H-6, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Telephone No.:
1-888-422-6309

7
Before Use
Important notice for prospective hearing aid users
Good health practice requires that a person with a
hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a licensed
physician (preferably a physician who specializes in
diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid.
Licensed physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear
are often referred to as otolaryngologists, otologists
or otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of medical
evaluation is to assure that all medically treatable
conditions that may affect hearing are identified and
treated before the hearing aid is purchased.
Following the medical evaluation, the physician will
give you a written statement that states that your
hearing loss has been medically evaluated and that you
may be considered a candidate for an audiologist or a
hearing aid dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing aid
evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct
a hearing evaluation to assess your ability to hear
with and without a hearing aid. The evaluation will
enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and fit
a hearing aid to your individual needs.
If you have reservations about your ability to
adapt to amplification, you should inquire about
the availability of a trial-rental or purchase-option
program. Many hearing aid dispensers now offer
programs that permit you to wear a hearing aid for
a period of time for a nominal fee after which you
may decide if you want to purchase the hearing aid.
Federal law restricts the sale of hearing aids to those
individuals who have obtained a medical evaluation
from a licensed physician. Federal law permits a fully
informed adult to sign a waiver statement declining
the medical evaluation for religious or personal
beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician.
The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best
health interest and its use is strongly discouraged.

8
Before Use
Children with hearing loss
In addition to seeing a physician for a medical
evaluation, a child with a hearing loss should
be directed to an audiologist for evaluation and
rehabilitation since hearing loss may cause problem
in language development and the educational and
social growth of a child.
An audiologist is qualified by training and
experience to assist in the evaluation and
rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.

9
Before Use
Safety precautions
Follow the instructions below to reduce the risk of personal injury or damage to the hearing instrument.

The following symbols are used throughout this document, and contain important differences
regarding the probability of serious injury. These definitions are as follows:
WARNING
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that could result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a possible hazard which if not avoided
may result in minor to
moderate injury. It is also used to alert against unsafe
practices that can
result in property damage.

The following symbols specify behavior or actions which are not allowed and an instruction that
must be carried out.
Do Not
(Not Allowed) Mandatory Attention, consult
ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENT

10
Before Use
Safety precautions (Continued)
Keep out of reach of children and pets.
A hearing instrument and its
components can be a choking
hazard
and cause possible internal injury if
swallowed. To prevent accidental
ingestion of hearing instrument or its
components and/or accessories, secure them
in a safe place where they are not accessed
by infants, small children, pets, or others who
might accidentally swallow them.
Keep batteries away from children and pets.
Hearing instrument batteries can be easily
swallowed and pose a choking hazard
and possible internal injury. To prevent
accidental ingestion, secure batteries in a
safe place where they are not accessed by
infants, small children, and pets. Dispose of
used batteries immediately.
WARNING
·If swallowed, obtain immediate medical
attention.
·If swallowed, call the 24-hour National Button
Battery Ingestion Hotline collect at
1-(202)-625-3333. Seek medical attention.

11
Before Use
Do not let others use your hearing instrument.
Inappropriate use of a hearing instrument
can cause severe damage to the ear. Do not
let children play with the hearing instrument.
Keep the hearing instrument out of reach of
children.
Do not disassemble, short-circuit, or expose
the zinc air battery to water or fire.
Failure to heed this warning may result in
leakage or explosion, which can lead to
injury or contamination of surrounding
factors.
WARNING

12
Before Use
CAUTION
Safety precautions (Continued)
Do not use the hearing instrument near any device that emits high frequency radio waves or
generates a strong magnetic field.
The hearing instrument may emit acoustic feedback which can result in hearing damage.
•Remove your hearing aid while undergoing any kind of electromagnetic treatment such as X-Rays,
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT), Electroencephalogram
(EEG), Electrocardiogram (ECG), Short-Wave Diathermy, or other electrical or magnetic treatment.
•Other types of radiation such as burglary alarms, room surveillance systems, radio equipment, and
mobile phone will not damage the hearing aid. They could, however, affect the sound quality or
produce unusual sounds in the hearing aids.

13
Before Use
Do not modify or disassemble the hearing
instrument.
Failure to heed this warning may
result in damage to the ear.
Do not immerse the hearing aid in water,
and do not allow it to get wet.
It may short-circuit and become damaged.
·Contact your dispenser if you need to have
your hearing instrument adjusted, or if
you encounter unexpected behavior of the
hearing instrument.
Do not use any other receiver unit.
Use of another type of receiver unit that is
not provided by your dispenser may generate
loud sound, which can damage hearing.
CAUTION
Make sure that the battery is fresh and
installed correctly.
Pay attention to the polarity. Inserting
the battery incorrectly can result in a
burst, leak, or damage to the unit.

14
Before Use
Safety precautions (Continued)
Before wearing a hearing aid, have your ear
examined by a licensed physician, or get a
hearing evaluation from a hearing instrument
specialist or an audiologist.
If the wrong type of a hearing aid is
selected, or a hearing aid is used in an
improper manner, it can cause ear or
hearing damage.
CAUTION
Ask the dispenser for a proper fit.
Inappropriate fitting may result in damage to
your hearing. Have your hearing aid fitted to
your individual needs.
Confirm that the hearing instrument is
completely free of burrs and cracks.
Rugged projection like sharp edges and
rough burrs protruding from the surface
of the hearing instrument can cause cuts
and nicks to the skin.
·When cleaning your hearing aid, wipe it gently
with a soft cloth. Never use organic solvents such
as alcohol, paint thinner, or benzene. Failure to
heed this caution may result in deformation of the
hearing instrument or cracking on the surface.

15
Before Use
CAUTION
Before wearing the hearing instrument,
make sure that the eartip fits into place.
If the eartip is not securely attached, it
may come off and remain in the ear.
Never attempt to remove the eartip
with use of any device. Attempting
to remove it on your own may cause
damage to the ear. Consult your
physician immediately.
·Do not use eartip if damaged.
Stop using the hearing instrument if you
experience any physical discomfort.
If you keep using the hearing instrument
when you suffer from headache, dizziness,
pain in the ear or skin abnormality at the ear
such as swelling and rash, your condition
may become worse.
·Stop using the hearing aid immediately and consult
your physician.

16
Before Use

Stop using the hearing instrument if you notice
draining fluid from your ears.
Do not use the hearing instrument without resolving
any problems that may cause drainage from the ear.
Discharge from the ear adhering to the receiver may
obstruct the sound, affect the hearing quality, or
damage the hearing instrument Consult your physician
to resolve the draining condition.

Clean the ear canal before each use of the hearing
instrument.
Eartips can collect cerumen (earwax), which can clog
the earphone and lower the sound quality. Safely
clean earwax out of your ear.
Usage instructions

Do not drop, hit or shake the hearing instrument. Do not
subject it to high impact, vibration, or impact. Drops and
impacts will cause scratches, cracks and damage.

Do not forcefully bend or pull on the receiver.
The receiver can get deformed.

The hearing instrument and its remote control and
Hearing Hub are designed to comply with the United States
regulations and are intended for use in the United States.

If you experience some physical discomfort such as pain
in the ear or skin abnormality, stop using the hearing
instrument, seek immediate medical treatment then
contact your dispenser.

Take off the hearing instrument before you go to sleep.

After using hair styling products and skin care products,
do not touch the hearing instrument without first washing
your hands. Do not put sunscreen or tanning lotion
around the area where your skin comes in direct contact
with the hearing instrument.
Care and handling instructions
For proper care and handling of your hearing instrument,
be sure to read and follow the instructions below.
Preventive maintenance can help extend the life span of
your hearing instrument.

17
Before Use

Avoid high temperatures, moisture, humidity and dust.
· Do not use the hearing instrument in the shower or
while swimming.
· Do not touch the hearing instrument with wet hands.
· Remove the hearing instrument before applying hair
spray.
· Do not use the hearing instrument with wet hair.
Dry your hair as leaving it soaking wet will wet your
hearing instrument.
· Do not leave or store the hearing instrument in a
damp location (bathroom), dusty environment or in
direct sunlight, high temperature or humidity (such as
in an automobile).

The hearing instrument has no special protection
against ingress of water.
· Equipment not suitable for use in the
presence of flammable anesthetic agents
mixed with air, oxygen, or nitrous oxide.
CAUTION

18
Before Use
Usage instructions (Continued)
Proper battery handling and maintenance

Individual zinc air cells are stored with an adhesive
tab. The factory seal must not be peeled off until the
battery is required for use.

The tab seals the air hole on the battery. Once the tab is
removed, it takes approximately 30 seconds before the
battery is activated. Wait until the battery is ready.

If you do not use the hearing
instrument for a week or longer,
remove the battery and put the tab
back on its plus (+) end. Place the
battery with the plus (+) sign facing
down and store the battery in an
area that sustains approximately
60 percent moisture. If you fail to
do this, the battery will deteriorate
quickly and will be completely
exhausted in about a month.

If the battery is running low, the hearing instrument will
make an alert or warning chime.

If the battery has not been used for a long period of time,
it may swell. A weak or dead battery can severely affect
the functioning of your hearing instrument. Replace it
with a new one immediately.

The amount of battery life varies depending on the type
and amplification of your hearing instruments and the
number of hours of use.

Moisture accumulation in the hearing instrument causes
not to function correctly. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

With or without an adhesive tab, do not stack more than
three batteries on top of each other or let them come in
contact with each other.
Adhesive tab
Zinc air battery

19
Before Use

Do not store or carry the battery with metal jewelry
or objects such as coins, nails, screws, hair pins or
the like. Never carry loose batteries. If they come
in contact with each other or other metal objects,
they will short out.

Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.

The battery absorbs carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere, resulting in its short life span. Do not
use near a heat source.
Hearing instrument maintenance

Before putting your hearing instrument in the hearing
instrument dryer, wipe off any dirt, dust, oil or sweat
that is left on the hearing instrument and battery
with a clean soft cloth. Do not leave the hearing
instrument exposed to direct sunlight, extremely high
temperatures and humidity.

When not wearing your hearing instrument, store it in
its carrying case.

To prevent accidental ingestion of hearing instrument,
components and accessories, secure them in the
carrying case.

20
Operations
Input sound direction
Battery compartment with
ON/OFF switch
Receiver
unit
Microphone
(sound inlet)
Receiver
Eartip
Component description
Memory switch
Basic operational flow
i-i. Battery insert/removal
with Battery Easy Care Tool ...............Pages 21-23
i-ii. Manual battery insert/removal.................Page 24
ii. Wearing the hearing instrument ..............Page 25
iii. Turning on the hearing instrument...........Page 26
iv. Adjusting the memory switch ..................Page 27
v. Adjusting the volume control...................Page 28
vi. Turning off the hearing instrument ..........Page 29
vii. Removing the hearing instrument ............Page 29